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EPA Gives West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection $102,348 to Protect Wetlands

Release Date: 10/7/1999
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $102,348 to the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection for wetland protection. These funds are two of 16 wetland protection grants totaling $1,274,000 that EPA has awarded to state and local governments in the mid-Atlantic region.

One grant of $6,555 for "Project WET" will support understanding the value of wetlands in the Potomac River watershed; encourage biological monitoring of streams flowing into and out of wetlands; and provide information on nonpoint source pollution of surface waters and groundwater. Although Project WET training and educational materials already exist, the Division of Environmental Protection will use grant funds to emphasize the wetlands component.

The second grant of $95,793 will be used by the Division of Environmental Protection to assess riparian wetlands in selected priority watersheds. This assessment will include physical, chemical, and biological assessment, habitat evaluation, and land use characterization. During the project, the Greenbrier; James; Little Kanawha; and Lower New rivers will be assessed.

Wetlands is the collective term for marshes, swamps, bogs and similar areas that develop between open water and dry land. These areas, found in every state in the nation, help improve water quality; reduce flood and storm damage; and provide important fish and wildlife habitat.

A critical goal in Vice President Gore’s Clean Water Action Plan is to slow down the loss of wetlands nationwide and by the year 2005, to restore at least 100,000 acres of wetlands each year. The wetlands grant program helps minimize losses by giving states and local governments financial support to develop and improve their wetlands protection programs.

Wetlands grants are awarded through a competitive process. Nationally, EPA appropriated $15 million in 1999. Applications for 2000 are due by November 1, 1999. For more information, please contact Alva Brunner,the regional grants coordinator at 215-814-2715.